I said goodbye to Miguel and gave him a bottle of rum. It was a bittersweet parting. I KNOW I will see him again as I will be back..
THE END
THE END
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Shout outs....
Miguel my buddy and first Vintage Car ride
Miguel 2
Maria Angeles Reservations
Maribel Consigliere
Business office women
Ben from Hong Kong
Jack from San Antonio
Alexandro's pink car
Andy Orange Car
Magaly the maid
Jean Louis waiter
Miguel 2
Maria Angeles Reservations
Maribel Consigliere
Business office women
Ben from Hong Kong
Jack from San Antonio
Alexandro's pink car
Andy Orange Car
Magaly the maid
Jean Louis waiter
A busted Mansion reveals a gourmet heaven
I pushed back meeting Miguel until six pm. I was tired. I wanted to et t this restaurant that everyone raves. Miguel could not come as he had to work but gladly drove me to the place. It is in what is this totally dilapidated building that would be condemn in NYC. the building itself, I believe is one use by photographer Robert Pollinari in his Cuba book. Inside it is or was amazing. I saw something again I never saw before that is iron banisters but with marble handrails in various condition of being fully there or gone to the destruction of time. You have to walk of three flights of beautiful marble staircase. The second floor as doric columns reading 18-20 ceilings with plaster accents that no way will we see again in the age of straight up and down, glass structures. Here was craftsmanship but all gone to shit as holes and wooded slats showed through falling plaster ceilings. The third floor led into Paladar La Guardia. Photos of famous people graced the walls of those who made the journey. The beautiful interior had all original woodwork. The food.....delicious but without further ado here are the photos, no way I did this faded beauty justice.
Bus Tour & Baseball
These last photos of the bus tour of mostly people's back in an interesting anecdote.
What these men are doing is routing about baseball. They have a license to congregate and discuss/argue baseball. They are profession fans without the pay of course. I got off the bus near here and walked to the park to listen. The only ting I noticed they had in common is baseball and bad teeth.
Sorry no photos of teeth.....
What these men are doing is routing about baseball. They have a license to congregate and discuss/argue baseball. They are profession fans without the pay of course. I got off the bus near here and walked to the park to listen. The only ting I noticed they had in common is baseball and bad teeth.
Sorry no photos of teeth.....
Hop on, Hop off...
My last day in Havana so I decided to take one of those hop on, hop off tourist bus tours around the city. It is a hazy, overcast but humid day. I thought sitting on the top of one of those buses would have a nice breeze and I could get off whenever I wanted for only 5 bucks.
I walked a few blocks to catch the bus at the Habana Libre hotel. This was the hotel Fidel ran the country out off during his first months of the revolution. I believe it was on the 24th floor.
Here are a number of bizarre looking photos from that tour. Remember I am on a moving bus, not easy to stand and set up the perfect shot, not that I would be doing that anyway.
I walked a few blocks to catch the bus at the Habana Libre hotel. This was the hotel Fidel ran the country out off during his first months of the revolution. I believe it was on the 24th floor.
Here are a number of bizarre looking photos from that tour. Remember I am on a moving bus, not easy to stand and set up the perfect shot, not that I would be doing that anyway.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Room..
I am staying in room 412. A larger double in one of the two sections that extend out from the hotel over the patio. I know this was mentioned but here now are some photos.
The hotel’s facilities included two good sized swimming pools, 6 bars, a buffet restaurant, fine dining restaurant, American style diner restaurant and a barbecue restaurant, shops, travel agent, money changing facilities.
The hotel had lovely tranquil grounds with views of the sea, the Malecon and the historical city centre. The location of the hotel isn’t ideal as it’s a few miles from the historical centre and you need to get a taxi there (around 5 Cuban convertible pesos).
The hotel’s facilities included two good sized swimming pools, 6 bars, a buffet restaurant, fine dining restaurant, American style diner restaurant and a barbecue restaurant, shops, travel agent, money changing facilities.
The hotel had lovely tranquil grounds with views of the sea, the Malecon and the historical city centre. The location of the hotel isn’t ideal as it’s a few miles from the historical centre and you need to get a taxi there (around 5 Cuban convertible pesos).
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Run away from the Rum...
I met up with my friend and unofficial tour guide/language teacher Miguel over a coffee an ouch on the veranda of the hotel. He had a couple of hours free before he had to go back to driving. We made arrangements to meet up later as I wanted to take him to dinner and try and new place. He called for us and made a dinner reservation for 7pm.
In the meantime, I ask him to drop me off in old Havana at the Rum Museum. I figured I would kill a few hours before dinner by visiting some different sights. The rum museum,even if you were drunk was a rip off of an experience. Seven bucks for a 20 minute nonsense nothing tour with a thimble tasting at the end. Happy to be done with that, I started walking along the water until I came across this interesting hotel facing the water. I found out it was the home of a dilettante deadbeat relic from a former era ---a Spanish Count. I walked in and asked the front desk woman if I cold see a room. After some back and forth she agreed and proceeded to call a chambermaid to show me a room. On the 3rd floor, a double, nice size with a big shared terrace overlooking the water. The rates were reasonable but not less than the Nacional. However, it is always good to have a few back ups. I like the room, the location and the price. It was in Old Havana but a few blocks away from the main tourist section.
At the hotel, I asked about tee shirts and someone told me about a flea market about 5-6 blocks down on the left. it was a pleasant afternoon, overcast without the hot sun beating down on you. There was tons of stuff at the market for sale. I did buy this 4x4 in painting of the Blue 56 BelAire. This is Miguel's car and in keeping with my trading of identifying one thing that represented the trip he and his car are it for me.
Leaving the flea market, I met this classic car driver and I hired him to take me home but first I wanted to stop at the famous Coppola ice cream parlor. Rumor has it Fidel use to call personally to set the flavor of the day. I had the cab go drop me off in front of Coppola. I found out they had 3 favors so what's the big whoop? The ice cream was good but could not compare to gelato in Italy not in million Fidel's.
After eating the ice cream, I went looking for the Bar La Torre, the tower on the 33floor of a nearby hotel. I only had a drink so I can not speak about the food. The prices looked expensive by Cuban standards. However, it is the million dollar view over the entire city and coast of Havana that you come to see. The bar and restaurant have a 360 degree view so every seat is a different feast for your eyes. It is a great romantic place to share a drink or meal as the sun sets over Havana. I ordered a drink and just enjoyed the moment....
In the meantime, I ask him to drop me off in old Havana at the Rum Museum. I figured I would kill a few hours before dinner by visiting some different sights. The rum museum,even if you were drunk was a rip off of an experience. Seven bucks for a 20 minute nonsense nothing tour with a thimble tasting at the end. Happy to be done with that, I started walking along the water until I came across this interesting hotel facing the water. I found out it was the home of a dilettante deadbeat relic from a former era ---a Spanish Count. I walked in and asked the front desk woman if I cold see a room. After some back and forth she agreed and proceeded to call a chambermaid to show me a room. On the 3rd floor, a double, nice size with a big shared terrace overlooking the water. The rates were reasonable but not less than the Nacional. However, it is always good to have a few back ups. I like the room, the location and the price. It was in Old Havana but a few blocks away from the main tourist section.
At the hotel, I asked about tee shirts and someone told me about a flea market about 5-6 blocks down on the left. it was a pleasant afternoon, overcast without the hot sun beating down on you. There was tons of stuff at the market for sale. I did buy this 4x4 in painting of the Blue 56 BelAire. This is Miguel's car and in keeping with my trading of identifying one thing that represented the trip he and his car are it for me.
Leaving the flea market, I met this classic car driver and I hired him to take me home but first I wanted to stop at the famous Coppola ice cream parlor. Rumor has it Fidel use to call personally to set the flavor of the day. I had the cab go drop me off in front of Coppola. I found out they had 3 favors so what's the big whoop? The ice cream was good but could not compare to gelato in Italy not in million Fidel's.
After eating the ice cream, I went looking for the Bar La Torre, the tower on the 33floor of a nearby hotel. I only had a drink so I can not speak about the food. The prices looked expensive by Cuban standards. However, it is the million dollar view over the entire city and coast of Havana that you come to see. The bar and restaurant have a 360 degree view so every seat is a different feast for your eyes. It is a great romantic place to share a drink or meal as the sun sets over Havana. I ordered a drink and just enjoyed the moment....
Capitol & Sunday Evening....
Andy gave me his business card as he dropped me off at the hotel. A very pleasant afternoon with another good Cuban.
After a little hanging on the patio, a rest and a shower I feel good as new and ready for the evening. By the time I got ready, it was near 10pm. My next stop the rooftop bar of the Hotel Santiago. The hotel along with the Park Central is considered one of the top three hotels in Havana. The location is perfect. Old Havana is right outside your door. I make my way into the lobby toward the velar or when I hear a piano playing in the mezzanine. My last time here I blogged about the wonderful coffee in the mezzanine bar. This time I stopped to listen to some Gershwin music as he was finishing up his set. I dropped some cash in the jar and off to the roof.
I got off the elevator and notice the Capitol Building with its huge dome lit up. I have never been this close to our White House. So seeing this replica, built in the USA but taller was a sight to behold and remember. Unfortunately, the bar was sing but I was able to order a drink and enjoy the view.
A little history on the Capitol:
El Capitolio, or National Capitol Building in Havana, Cuba, was the seat of government in Cuba until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Its design and name recall the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue.
Finishing up my drink, I planned which was the best block to make my way through old Havana. The streets seemed even darker that usual. Of course, there like always were many people on the street. Havana is a safe city to stroll and pore at night but a in any big city you née to have your wits about you. My final stop led me to the Cafe Oriente for some food. One of Cuba's better restaurants. It is elegant and with piano player. I had a seafood bisque that was excellent, then another seafood appetizer before fully full I headed back into the night..
After a little hanging on the patio, a rest and a shower I feel good as new and ready for the evening. By the time I got ready, it was near 10pm. My next stop the rooftop bar of the Hotel Santiago. The hotel along with the Park Central is considered one of the top three hotels in Havana. The location is perfect. Old Havana is right outside your door. I make my way into the lobby toward the velar or when I hear a piano playing in the mezzanine. My last time here I blogged about the wonderful coffee in the mezzanine bar. This time I stopped to listen to some Gershwin music as he was finishing up his set. I dropped some cash in the jar and off to the roof.
I got off the elevator and notice the Capitol Building with its huge dome lit up. I have never been this close to our White House. So seeing this replica, built in the USA but taller was a sight to behold and remember. Unfortunately, the bar was sing but I was able to order a drink and enjoy the view.
A little history on the Capitol:
El Capitolio, or National Capitol Building in Havana, Cuba, was the seat of government in Cuba until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Its design and name recall the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue.
Finishing up my drink, I planned which was the best block to make my way through old Havana. The streets seemed even darker that usual. Of course, there like always were many people on the street. Havana is a safe city to stroll and pore at night but a in any big city you née to have your wits about you. My final stop led me to the Cafe Oriente for some food. One of Cuba's better restaurants. It is elegant and with piano player. I had a seafood bisque that was excellent, then another seafood appetizer before fully full I headed back into the night..
On to The Paladar.....
After a good time with Miguel and getting his business card, I had a few hours to refresh before I was meeting Miguel 1 to go a Cuban Paladar for dinner. But first, I wanted to make a drink stop at Dos Hermanos meaning two brothers. A waterfront bar and hangout of Hemingway. We hung out for a while watching the game on TV. But to be honest, the daiquiri was just adequate but the atmosphere was stop on....now it was time to find the Paladar and eat.
Paladar is a term used in Cuba to refer to restaurants run by self-employers. Mostly family-run businesses, paladares are fundamentally directed to serve as a counterpart of state run restaurants for tourist seeking for a most vivid interaction with Cuban reality, and looking for homemade Cuban food.
The place in old Havana in an old building up the stairs and into an atmospheric main dining room with beautiful young Cuban women in shirt white dresses and cowboy hats. The coming into this place from the darken street and up a few flights of old stairs is worth the price of admission. The food is way too much and excellent. I had a dish of various seafood in a Cuban tomato sauce that I wish I could have taken home the extras. A choice stop especially for romantics------El Guajirito
Paladar is a term used in Cuba to refer to restaurants run by self-employers. Mostly family-run businesses, paladares are fundamentally directed to serve as a counterpart of state run restaurants for tourist seeking for a most vivid interaction with Cuban reality, and looking for homemade Cuban food.
The place in old Havana in an old building up the stairs and into an atmospheric main dining room with beautiful young Cuban women in shirt white dresses and cowboy hats. The coming into this place from the darken street and up a few flights of old stairs is worth the price of admission. The food is way too much and excellent. I had a dish of various seafood in a Cuban tomato sauce that I wish I could have taken home the extras. A choice stop especially for romantics------El Guajirito
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)